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I've already covered the nightmare that was the drive home from Asheville, so let's talk about the drive down, and the show itself.
First off, I had a side quest: I detoured to Frankfort KY to meet Theresa at 9720! She's one of my regulars at work, and she likes me (others think she's mean?!), and it wasn't too far off my route. completely surprised her, which was fantastic. we chatted for a bit, she sneakily paid for my snacks, and then I was back on the road. I'd passed Buffalo Trace Distillery on the way in, so I texted my friends that I was stopping by, and to get their requests in. They graciously offered up a golf card lift from the main entrance (ID checked and wristband given) to the gift shop, which was much appreciated. I picked up a bottle of bourbon cream for Beth, a bottle of regular bourbon just because, and some mini bottles for holiday fill-ins. another quick cart ride took me right to my car, and then I was on the road east then south, headed for Knoxville, where I'd head east for real to get to Asheville.
These two stops took a little longer than planned, but they weren't terrible. That said, I wasn't really keeping tabs on time too closely. Hit some traffic as I got into Knoxville, and when I started heading east, there was a section a ways off that was on fire. I repeat: THERE WAS A FIRE NEARISH TO THE HIGHWAY. gulp. add some lane-shifting and construction, and things were a bit more spicy than I like. Nearly got rear-ended by a work van, some dude apparently flooring it while I maintained a steady pace. On I-40, just after crossing into NC, things got extra-spicy: Smoke warnings, and actual wildfires. I did NOT have these on my road trip bingo card. The Black Bear fire had been sparked the day prior when a semi crashed on WB I-40, and the fire was spreading through the deeply parched forest and was up to the edge of the highway. it was also on top of the tunnels at Snowbird mountain. The interstate is only two lanes each direction, so when we hit construction and lane closures, thngs slowed down BAD. Twice. There may have been tears when I wasn't moving, but watching my arrival time get later and later.
I did, eventually, get to my hotel just as it got dark: 5:30pm. Doors were at 6, show was at 7, and I hate to be late. Checked in, took the fastest shower ever, got dressed and made my way to downtown Asheville. The dark and the very three-dimensional terrain made navigating hard, but I eventually found the parking garage and, on a hunch, got a handicap spot in the "full" lot. was able to waddle the 1.5 blocks to the venue, despite still being very tightly wound from the white-knuckle driving of the prior couple hours. I loved everything about the place. I didn't immediately see Zach or Darren, but with only 5 minutes until showtime, I spotted D and said hello, letting him know I had something for him and I'd see him after the show.
You see, at some point in the drive, I decided that $30 bottle of bourbon would be going to Darren, along with the Amy Hempel book I'd mentioned in Greensboro.
I got a drink (sparkling water) and sat in the back/center, hoping to both have an unobstructed view, and to not be in anyone's way with my giant bag and cane and whatnot. the seats were mostly full when Julie Odell took the stage (bandcamp | Instagram). She's another soft-spoken but beautiful acoustic singer/songwriter, and this was another show where I just wanted to close my eyes and just let the music wash over me. I was too stressed about dropping my drink or knocking my cane over, and knew D&Z were behind me, so I tried to stay as zen as I could.
About her third song, her daughter came down from the upper level, walked up beside the first row of seats, and silently showed off something she'd drawn in a small notebook. to the girl's credit, she didn't make any noise or cause a huge distraction, and to Julie's credit, she acknowledged her daughter without stopping her song or otherwise acting disrupted or put out. In face, she didn't mention it at all until she referenced her daughter at a later point.
Julie had one song that she couldn't get going right, so she got frustrated and moved on to the next. that next song is the one I fell in love with, and of course it's not on an album and I don't know the name. but he's recording soon (now?) and that will be included.
Not quite an hour into it, Julie was done and it was time for Darren to take the stage. All along people had continued to come in and find seats, and I found an older couple sitting in front of me, with his head blocking out Zach completely, and causing me to lean a bit to the right to see Darren in between them. turns out, that was Darren's producer Alan Weatherhead! I think D was a bit flustered by that, but he did announce his special guest from the stage and we all applauded as we should. They played their usual/basic set, but I noticed D was getting a bit more creative on the phrasing in a couple songs, like he's letting his hair down a bit. I like it.
After the show, I immediately said out loud "well, that was worth the drive" and Alan's wife/partner turned around and asked where I'd driven from. "Dayton, Ohio" was my reply, at which Alan turned around and a lovely conversation began. the usual shock from them, moreso when they learned it was Show #4 for me. they were further surprised to learn I'd only been following him for about 18 months. They told me about Madison, IN, a cute little river town across from Louisville that's worth checking out. They got up to talk to Darren, and I found Zach and talked to him. We discussed t-day plans and how he bleeds green and yellow for his beloved green bay packers. Bought Julie's album and had a discussion with two employees about my trek to see Darren play all over. it's a hell of a conversation starter. Ran into Julie in the restroom as her daughter quite literally climbed the walls, and discovered the dumbwaiter in the handicap stall.
When we came out, they'd damn near had the place shut down, just before 9pm. Darren was tearing down and distracted, so I asked where his stuff was that I could put the bag. He looked a bit annoyed and said "just give it to me" so I pulled out the Buffalo Trace bag and carefully handed it over. "there was a side quest on the way here. The book is in there, too" I said as his eyes jumped wide open and he stammered a reply. "take care, I'll see y'all in two weeks!" I chirped as I waddled out.
Stopped at a speedway on the way back to the hotel for dinner, since my room had a fridge and microwave, climbed into bed, and tried to find my alternate route home. also tried to sleep, knowing it'd be a rough drive home.
First off, I had a side quest: I detoured to Frankfort KY to meet Theresa at 9720! She's one of my regulars at work, and she likes me (others think she's mean?!), and it wasn't too far off my route. completely surprised her, which was fantastic. we chatted for a bit, she sneakily paid for my snacks, and then I was back on the road. I'd passed Buffalo Trace Distillery on the way in, so I texted my friends that I was stopping by, and to get their requests in. They graciously offered up a golf card lift from the main entrance (ID checked and wristband given) to the gift shop, which was much appreciated. I picked up a bottle of bourbon cream for Beth, a bottle of regular bourbon just because, and some mini bottles for holiday fill-ins. another quick cart ride took me right to my car, and then I was on the road east then south, headed for Knoxville, where I'd head east for real to get to Asheville.
These two stops took a little longer than planned, but they weren't terrible. That said, I wasn't really keeping tabs on time too closely. Hit some traffic as I got into Knoxville, and when I started heading east, there was a section a ways off that was on fire. I repeat: THERE WAS A FIRE NEARISH TO THE HIGHWAY. gulp. add some lane-shifting and construction, and things were a bit more spicy than I like. Nearly got rear-ended by a work van, some dude apparently flooring it while I maintained a steady pace. On I-40, just after crossing into NC, things got extra-spicy: Smoke warnings, and actual wildfires. I did NOT have these on my road trip bingo card. The Black Bear fire had been sparked the day prior when a semi crashed on WB I-40, and the fire was spreading through the deeply parched forest and was up to the edge of the highway. it was also on top of the tunnels at Snowbird mountain. The interstate is only two lanes each direction, so when we hit construction and lane closures, thngs slowed down BAD. Twice. There may have been tears when I wasn't moving, but watching my arrival time get later and later.
I did, eventually, get to my hotel just as it got dark: 5:30pm. Doors were at 6, show was at 7, and I hate to be late. Checked in, took the fastest shower ever, got dressed and made my way to downtown Asheville. The dark and the very three-dimensional terrain made navigating hard, but I eventually found the parking garage and, on a hunch, got a handicap spot in the "full" lot. was able to waddle the 1.5 blocks to the venue, despite still being very tightly wound from the white-knuckle driving of the prior couple hours. I loved everything about the place. I didn't immediately see Zach or Darren, but with only 5 minutes until showtime, I spotted D and said hello, letting him know I had something for him and I'd see him after the show.
You see, at some point in the drive, I decided that $30 bottle of bourbon would be going to Darren, along with the Amy Hempel book I'd mentioned in Greensboro.
I got a drink (sparkling water) and sat in the back/center, hoping to both have an unobstructed view, and to not be in anyone's way with my giant bag and cane and whatnot. the seats were mostly full when Julie Odell took the stage (bandcamp | Instagram). She's another soft-spoken but beautiful acoustic singer/songwriter, and this was another show where I just wanted to close my eyes and just let the music wash over me. I was too stressed about dropping my drink or knocking my cane over, and knew D&Z were behind me, so I tried to stay as zen as I could.
About her third song, her daughter came down from the upper level, walked up beside the first row of seats, and silently showed off something she'd drawn in a small notebook. to the girl's credit, she didn't make any noise or cause a huge distraction, and to Julie's credit, she acknowledged her daughter without stopping her song or otherwise acting disrupted or put out. In face, she didn't mention it at all until she referenced her daughter at a later point.
Julie had one song that she couldn't get going right, so she got frustrated and moved on to the next. that next song is the one I fell in love with, and of course it's not on an album and I don't know the name. but he's recording soon (now?) and that will be included.
Not quite an hour into it, Julie was done and it was time for Darren to take the stage. All along people had continued to come in and find seats, and I found an older couple sitting in front of me, with his head blocking out Zach completely, and causing me to lean a bit to the right to see Darren in between them. turns out, that was Darren's producer Alan Weatherhead! I think D was a bit flustered by that, but he did announce his special guest from the stage and we all applauded as we should. They played their usual/basic set, but I noticed D was getting a bit more creative on the phrasing in a couple songs, like he's letting his hair down a bit. I like it.
After the show, I immediately said out loud "well, that was worth the drive" and Alan's wife/partner turned around and asked where I'd driven from. "Dayton, Ohio" was my reply, at which Alan turned around and a lovely conversation began. the usual shock from them, moreso when they learned it was Show #4 for me. they were further surprised to learn I'd only been following him for about 18 months. They told me about Madison, IN, a cute little river town across from Louisville that's worth checking out. They got up to talk to Darren, and I found Zach and talked to him. We discussed t-day plans and how he bleeds green and yellow for his beloved green bay packers. Bought Julie's album and had a discussion with two employees about my trek to see Darren play all over. it's a hell of a conversation starter. Ran into Julie in the restroom as her daughter quite literally climbed the walls, and discovered the dumbwaiter in the handicap stall.
When we came out, they'd damn near had the place shut down, just before 9pm. Darren was tearing down and distracted, so I asked where his stuff was that I could put the bag. He looked a bit annoyed and said "just give it to me" so I pulled out the Buffalo Trace bag and carefully handed it over. "there was a side quest on the way here. The book is in there, too" I said as his eyes jumped wide open and he stammered a reply. "take care, I'll see y'all in two weeks!" I chirped as I waddled out.
Stopped at a speedway on the way back to the hotel for dinner, since my room had a fridge and microwave, climbed into bed, and tried to find my alternate route home. also tried to sleep, knowing it'd be a rough drive home.
